Ticket issuing and printing machine



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TICKET ISSUING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1949 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 cam/75R RESET INVENTOR. Z a/{07 J mr 0 BY Patented Aug. 4, 195 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Q 7 2,647,457 7 I Y, TICKET ISSUIN G AND PRINTING MACHINE Edgar S. Spargo, Miami Springs, Fla., assignor to Sparson Engineering Corporation, Miami Springs, Fla., a corporation of Florida Application June 1, 1949, Serial No. 96,527

This invention relates to ticket printing and issuing machines, particularly to machines for issuing tickets, for example, at races where the pari-mutuel system of calculating betting odds is employed, and has for its primary object to provide an improved electrically operated ticket issuing machine. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a universal ticket issuing machine adapted for issuing one or two-numbered tickets, thereby enabling the machine to be used for Quiniela (wherein two entries in one race are selected) and Daily Double (wherein one entry in each of two specified races are selected) wagering, which require the selection of an entry in two races, as 7 well as for the usual style and denominations of mutuel tickets requiring selection of single entries and single races.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electric ticket printing and issuing machine made of relatively few and standard working parts in which gears, chain drives, and other mechanical inter-connected motivating mechanisms have been substantially eliminated.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide an improved machine from which a ticket may not be removed without recordation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple electrical means for locking and unlocking a ticket issuing machine, thereby restricting the machine to authorized use only and thus preventing unauthorized misuse thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine that is subject to the control of an authorized person who directs the interval during which the attendant may operate the machine.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a machine that is adapted to print tickets having variable codes, style, and race numbers, so that counterfeiting of tickets is prevented.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine in which code and race changing means of a simple and readily operated mechanism are incorporated, so that the code may be quickly changed by an electrical impulse at the close of each selling period.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electrically operated printing and ticket issuing machine in which the various steps of printing, moving the ticket paper, severing the ticket, registering, and ejecting the ticket from the machine are under direct control of acycling mechanism, thereby assuring an accurate count of all tickets issued by the machine.

With the above objects in view, an embodiment its cycle to issue this ticket.

of the invention herein discloses. a ticket printing and issuing machine, which'upon operation of the desired keyor keys selection of thecorresponding type is obtained through energization of predetermined relays and solenoids, the type for the several codes, races, and numbers being carried upon horizontally slidable bars. An escapement device coupled to a solenoid is provided for each of the code and race change bars, so that each of these bars is set to a different position, in response to its associated solenoid, step-by-step from the first face to the last race. Similarly, a solenoid is provided for moving each of the number bars to its fullest travel, each bar, however, being arrested at a predetermined position by a transversely movable pin engaging the forward end of the bar, each pin being controlled by a corresponding relay and solenoid, which are coordinated with the digital keys. Following selection of a particular number or numbers and with the selected type in the printing position, an electrically operated timing mechanism is set into motion and through a series of cams thereon energizes a series of electric circuits in timed'sequence, whereby the operations f printing, paper moving, severing, registering, and ejecting the ticket are accomplished'in a rapid, step-by-step, manner. The machine is so arranged that additional tickets cannot be issued followingofiicial termination of the selling period, although should a'ticket have been initiated just prior to said termination, the timing mechanism will complete Provision is also made in the machine for notifying the attendant when the paper roll supply is approaching deplefacing the right front corner, with certain parts of the casing removed to show the timing mechanism and power rectifier;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken alongline 3-3 of Figure 2 in thedirection. of the arrows illustrating the paper supplyroll and paper advancing mechanism in the lower portion, the type bars and printing platen in the upper central portion, and the electricalrelays and solenoids in the upper right portion;

Figure 4 is a top plan view, with certain parts removed for clarity, showing the number control relays, ejector mechanism, ribbon mechanism, counter, and keyboard for a Quiniela race; Figure 5 is a perspective rear view, with certain parts removed for clarity, showing the type bars, mechanism for operating nu n iber selector type bars, and paper advancing mechgtnis'in; I U Figure 6 is a front View of a sample ticket for a Quiniela race adapted to be printed and issued by the machine of this invention;

Figure '7 is a perspective view opposite to that of Figure 5 showing thev selector pi n-escape;

. (H t. .1 it, ment mechanism for actuat ng the code anti race change type bars, as well as the paper pressure t shown in Figure 1 for controlling the LU ,r 1, op ng cycle of themachme; M I

igure 9 is a, p e'rspectiveview showing the eje'ttd mechanism, counting trigger and assoicalflcontact s'pring',' cutting blade portion of the printing ia'ten ase lowermost part;

.Figurl is a; more detailed and complete view of the printing platen assembly shown in" Fi ure 9;: t

r gate 1'I is a; perspective viewof the cutting blade mec anism including, connection tt the act atin so1enoid' at the-left part thereof; a

Figure I2iis a perspective view of a portion. of the knife ,bieide me'chanism and ejector mechanis'ln', witnp'artsjeut away to more clearly bring out the relationship between" the counting triggfe and qntatis n g H p Fig e; 13; is an electric schematic diagram of th'e c'ont'rol relays, solenoids, keys, etc, for, a Qt nlelal arrangement constructed in accordance v'v'i t rsinventron'; F fire shows in diagrammatic fofm the ti ngapparatjusj and other ccmmon equipment ass ed to be connected to the circuit shown in Figure l l as well as to' the circuits shown, in rqigur esm; 17', 19, and'ZO, to be referred to hereinaftemj ,t Fi gu le sil l and I5, taken together ith Figurflljr, show a schematic diagram er the arrangerx'i'ent required for a Daily Double horse race;, ,A v a Fig re 17, taken together with F gure 14, shows liejhe atic arrangement for a" Daily Ddlibl (I08 race;

Figures 18' and 19, taken together with Fi um; .14, show a schematic arrangement for reguisr..hti-s;e,rate including win, place, or show, ti he cdr'nbin'ation' thereof; and

a schematic arrangement for a dog race including win, place, or show. v I

,7 R,eferri'ng now ts the drawings, particularly to Figures 1,, 2 an c i 3, there is shown a cabinet or casing 25 for the machine of this invention com prising; a t .25 with a ticket slot 24, left side 21, rightside 28, bottom 29, and front'30. .The casing is preferably made oi' sheet metal of appropriate gauge in order to minimize the! weight thereof and at'th'e'same time to provide sufiiu e 20, taken together with Figure shows Cint rigidity as a mounting support for the VBL'Iious piecesof equipment carried thereby; 'lh'e upper portion of the fr'ont 30' shown provided with"asl'oping;shelf 3'1 formountirig a plurality of conventional push button' keys" 32anli' a toggle switch 33, while immediately thereunder is shown a plurality of toggle switches 34 mounted upon a vertical plate '36 disposed inwardly from the face of the front 39, as more clearly seen in Figure 3. The shelf 3| may be attached to the front 30 in any suitable manner, asby screWs Q'I, It is y of course, understood that the nunibea of push puttog s 3 2, and associated toggle switches 34 may be varied to accommodate the particular type of race for which the machine is to be arranged, the number of buttons and switches being greater for a Daily lgoubles race and fewer for a single race involvagyvifi; grate; aypa Show, as will be readily appar nt electrical circuit diagrams. In the embodiment shown, the keys and toggle switches are illustrative of a Quiniela race and th e description hereinafter will be particularly directed to this type of .race.

bqttcmgze'ey a pair of hinges 39 for permitting access to' the interior of the cabinet.- A recess 411 111; the r p'iit'ibiitr the panel 38 is provices or facilitating movement thereof from its closed to position; I

A pair of male sockets His shown in the left side fl rqr' bssetmg the various lectrica'l circuits' 3501 tiieifiaemiie, jiib iising the bwr supply afr'id' leads" from the totaliz'er (not shown). Att he top 26 a, counterof any siiitab'le type, preferably an, electric" tw tter; for registerihgth'e sneer, each ticket issiiecl by the machine the day, which saunter at the start ,Qf t'lie day set to zero, through a specialkey flnot shownl, thereby preventing imauthorized changes insetting. By providing a separate counter for each machine, a breakdown of the total sales or the day may" be readily a'sc ertained, par icularly for the discovery and correction of errors;

Type bars The lei-mus type w n newts described; Re- 'iig'par c'u arly to Figures 3 and 5; there is shown an 'elojnga'te'd bar 42; or metal or the like, having p urality or grooves 43 extending the entire length thereof; in this instance five grto'ves, ea ch of-wliic his formed witha restricted aperture or throat 4'4' and an enlarged opening 46; the'inateri'al intermediate the groovesits being substantially T-sh'aped, is" readily apparent.- Witliiti thdg'rbo'irs are disposed slidabletype bars 41 of substantially I configuratitn i'n sec'tion having an inner flange 4t disposed within the" enlarged opening 46', a web as disposedin thethroat 4 4, and an outer front'flan'ge disposed externall of the groove and having a pieiieteriiimed type'; 'as' will e brought-out hereinaifterio'n'it's rate fer p int-mg purposes.

In the first groove 43; reading from top to bottom 'bfFi'giir'es 3 en s, is shown the'typebar A which carri'e'sa plurality of crises 51 thereon; a separate one for' 'each race. The codes 11; y consist of wo'rds' (if-distinctive charaetersand there win naturally be as many different words or characters as there are races for which the the lower number bar 52. of the intermediate selector solenoid 82 the compressive strength of the spring 16 will force the .aforesaid assembly into its inoperative position.

Similarly, a perforated cross bar 15' (see Fig. 7) is shown for interconnecting the selector pins II associated with the upper number bar 53 and both bars I and T5 are interconnected electrically in any suitable manner, as by a strap wire (not shown), to be further described in the electrical circuit description.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the front end of a selector pin II is in abutting engagement with one end of a plunger 11, preferably of insulating material in order to preserve the insulated status of the selector pins II, slidably disposed within an opening (not shown) of a depending member I8 and in which the other end of the plunger is rigidly secured to a vertical bar I9 adjacent its upper end. The lower end of the vertical bar is secured to one end of a rod 3|, the other end of which is connected to an armature of a selector solenoid 82. It will be readily apparent that actuation of one of the selector solenoids 82 will attract the associated armature and correspondingly move the assembly including the connecting rod 81, vertical bar 19, plunger 17, and pin II with the result that the free end of the selector pin 'II will be projected into the enlarged opening 46. It will be observed in Figure 3 that the left and right selector solenoids 82 are in their non-operative positions, while the intermediate selector solenoid is in its operative position, so that the associated selector pin 1 I is shown disposed in the enlarged opening 49 and in contact with the forward end of Upon de-energizatlon The mechanism for changing the positions of each the code change bar 5I and race change bar 54 is of an electro-mechanical escapement arrangement, the details of which are shown partichaving three pins 9|, 92, 93 projecting from the opposite face thereof.

Two of the three pins, namely SI, 92, are disposed at the sides of the rocker plate while the third pin 93 is at the bottom thereof, as seen in Figure la. The bottom pin 93 is journalled in the bar 42 while end pins 9| and 92 cooperate with a scalloped or toothed flat bar 94 which in turn is connected by a pin 98, movable in a slot 91 in the bar 42, to the code change bar 5 I, so that movement of the scalloped bar will cause corresponding movement of the code bar. A tension spring (not shown) is fastened to the end of the code change bar opposite to that where the pin 96 is connected in order to pretension the code change bar. It will be seen, therefore, that actuation of the solenoid 83 will cause the plate 89 through the rod 86 to rock, releasing pin 92 from one of the teeth and thereby permit the scalloped plate to be retracted one step and thus expose another code in the printing position.

Similarly, the race change bar 54 is actuated step-by-step through a solenoid 98, which is pivotally connected to a bell crank 99, thence I09 respectively on scalloped bars 94 and I04 enable these bars to be manually retracted to their initial positions at the start of the day's races by the attendant through an access aperture (not shown) in the casing. These two bars are moved once each time the machine is locked after the selling of a race and preliminary to the next race, as will appear hereinafter, so that the maintenance man may test the ticket machine in the interim period.

With respect to the denomination bar 56, which is located in the bottom groove 43, as viewed in Fig. 7, the printing position of the desired indicia on this bar may be regulated also by manual movement, since the style bar is provided with a pin III that is freely movable in a slot I I2 in the rectangular bar 42. As seen in Figure 7, the pin I I I and, in turn the style bar 56, is in the extreme right position and is held there by means of a resilient element I I3, pivotally secured to the rectangular bar 42 by a pin H0 and having an arcuate recess II5 for reception of the pin III. An outward and downward movement of the resilient element II3 will permit the pin to be removed from the recess and free the way for movement thereof to the left to the succeeding resilient element.

Printing mechanism Referring to Figures 3, 9, and 10 there is shown a movable printing platen assembly I I4 comprising a rigid plate I I8 to which are attached shaped resilient strips II'I, preferably of rubber, for pressing the ticket against the type. Side plates I I8 are rigidly secured to the platen plate H6 in any suitable manner, as by screws H9, and the upper and lower edges of the side plates are slidable in guide ways I2 I, I22, respectively provided in a top I23 and base I24. Side plates I25 are rigidly secured to the top I23 and base I24, as shown in Figure 9. A solenoid I26 with a bifurcated armature I2! is rigidly mounted upon the base I24 for moving the platen, a rod I28 being secured at its intermediate portion to the armature and at its ends being provided with ears I29 that are attached to the two side plates H8 in any suitable manner, as by welding. Two tension springs I3I, secured at one of their ends to posts I32 in the base I24 and at their other ends to the forward ends of the side plates II8, serve to retract the platen to its normal, inoperative position, as shown in Figure 9. The actuated or operative position of the platen is shown in Figure 10.

An inked ribbon I33 (Fig. 4) is interposed between the type and platen for use in making the reading impression on a ticket. -A supply reel I34 and a take-up reel I36 are provided for the ribbon, an electro-mechanical escapement mechanism being adapted to rotate the take-up reel and move the ribbon past the type and platen. As seen in the upper left of Figure 4, a ratchet I31 is rigidly connected to the reel I36 and a pawl I38 is in mesh engagement therewith. The pawl is connected to the armature of a solenoid I39, which is actuated once for each ticket printed, a tension spring I4I being adapted to urge the pawl into such mesh engagement and also to retract the armature and pawl upon release of the solenoid I39. A similar escapement mechanism I42 (partially shown) is provided for the supply reel I34. It is, of course, understood that the supply reel may become the take-up reel upon reversal of the ribbon and to provide for automatic reversal thereof, any suitable switching means may be provided, such as one similar to that shown for the paper supply roll, which will be described hereinafter. A relay I44 and switch I46, to be described later, control the operation of the solenoids I39 and I43. Thus, for a period of time the ribbon will move from right to left, as seen in Figure 4, under the control of solenoid I39, after which upon operation Of the circuit reversing switch M6 the ribbon will move from left to right under control of solenoid I43.

Paper moving mechanism Referring to Figures 3, 5, and '7, the mechanism for supplying the ticket paper to the printing mechanism will now be described. In Figure -3 is shown a paper supply roll Ml freely mounted upon a shaft I48 carried by a pair of spaced, slotted brackets Hi9 secured to the bottom 29 of the casing. The ticket paper I5I is shown passing around an idler roller I52, thence through an arcuate guideway or chute I53, after which it passes between a pair of corrugated rollers I54 and a resiliently biased rubber roller I56 to a position between the type and platen. The rubber roller itt is freely carried upon a shaft I5! disposed at the lower ends of a pair of arms I58, the upper ends of which arms are fixedly secured to a shaft I59 journalled in suitable bearings IISI fastened to side plates I62 of a compartment I63 containing this apparatus. A lever arm I64 is affixed to the shaft I59 at a predetermined angle with respect to the arms I53, so that the arms and shaft move as an integral unit. Intermediate the ends of the lever arm I64 is connected one end of a spring I66, the other end of which is secured to the bottom of the compartment I63. To permit the maintenance man to relieve the pressure of the rubber roller I56 against the corrugated rollers, so as to insert or remove the paper iii, the free end of the lever arm I64 is extended through a slot I6! of the compartment I63 and, as is readily apparent in Figure. 3, elevation of the arm I64 will separate the rubber roller I56 from the corrugated rollers I5 1. Rotation of the corrugated roller I54 and, in turn, movement of the paper I5I is accomplished through a solenoid I68 (see Fig. 5) in which. the armature thereof is loosely connected to one end of an arm I69, the other end of which is freely connected to one end of a bell crank Ill. The other end of the crank Il I is loosely connected to a vertically movable arrn Il'2. The apex I13 of the bell crank is shown pivotally connected to a bracket I'M rigidly attached to the bottom 29 of the casing. The

arm I72 is connected to the lower end of a vertically reciprocable rack I76 by a pin I'IT which is adapted to move in a vertical slot I79 provided in a bracket I19 fastened to the bottom 29. A spacer 'I8I is interposed between the bracket I19 and the arm I12. The bracket I19 is also provided with a groove I92 within which the rack I16 is slidabl'e, and the upper end of the rack is held to the bracket II'9 by a pin I83 and spacer In. mesh engagement with the rack I is shown a pinion Iii-3, which is loosely mounted upon a shaft I3? freely rotatable in bearings I88, which are carried by the side plates I62. A pawl I89 is pivotally carried upon a side face of the pinion I85 and a spring element I9I, likewise fastened to the pinion, is adapted to bias the pawl into mesh engagement with a ratchet I92 which is rigidly coupled to the shaft IB'E. Since the corrugated: rollers Iii iare also keyed to the shaft I81, it will be readily apparent. that rotation of the pinion I86 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5, will produce similar rotation of the ratchet I92 and corrugated rollers I54 and, in view of the pressure of the rubber roller I56 against the ticket paper I5I and corrugated rollers, the ticket paper will be advanced a predetermined distance, namely, the length of a ticket. Such advancement of the paper occurs upon downward movement of the rack I16 under control of the solenoid I68. However, upon release of this solenoid the rack will be retracted to its upper position through a compression spring (not shown) within the solenoid, which spring normally biases the armature outwardly, and it is to be noted that the upward movement of the rack and counterclockwise rotation of the pinion I86 produce no rotational effect upon the ratchet I92 and corrugated rollers I54.

In order to avoid inadvertent exhaustion of the paper supply, an alarm mechanism is provided comprising a lever I93 (Fig. 3), the free end of which is provided with an arcuate protuberance I94 adapted to rest upon the roll I47 and the other end of which is rotatably carried upon a shaft I96 secured to the compartment I63 in any suitable manner. As the paper roll approaches depletion, the protuberance I94 drops accordingly and at a predetermined point the lever I93 contacts and depresses a plunger I91 of a paper roll switch I98 (Fig. 7), having a make and a break contact, attached to one of the compartment sides I62. Upon operation of the switch I98 an electric circuit, to be described hereinafter, is closed for operating a buzzer alarm to advise the attendant of such depletion and the supply circuit to the keyshelf is opened to pr vent the issuance of additional tickets. An important advantage of this alarm system is that it not only increases the efficiency of the maintenance man in servicing the machine but also prevents the tail end of the paper, which is usually provided with a piece of tape, from passing into the paper chute I53 and jamming the machine.

Ticket cutter The mechanism for severing a ticket from the paper roll, after it has been printed and advanced beyond the type and platen, is shown substantially in Figure 11 and to a more or less degree in Figures 3, 4, 9, and 12. Referring particularly to Figure 11, there is shown a stationary cutting blade 26I having a shearing surface 202 in which the upper edge 293 projects slightly beyond the lower edge 264 to present a slightly angled and more efficient cutting surface. The cutting blade 29I is removably at tached by screws 266 to a stationary cutting bar 29! which includes a recess 298 on the underside therefor, so that the lower surface of the assembly will be flush with the top I23 (Fig. 9) to which it is secured in any suitable manner. The cutting bar 201 has a transverse, central groove 299 along its side, a cut-out m at the corner adjacent the grooved side, and longitudinal grooves 2I I, 212 adjacent the sides of the stationary blade 21, and an opening 2I3 in which the rear wall 2I4 thereof is stepped behind the shearing surface 2'02 of the removable blade for a purpose that will appear hereinafter. Suitable slots 2I5 (Fig. 9) are formed in the side plates I25 for passage therethrou'gh of the stationary cutting bar 201.

A movable cutting bar 2 I6 coacts with the stationary blade 2IlI and is constituted by a right- 

